In this episode Boxing for Justice, we get the dialogue going with stand-out speakers Dalia 'La Pantera' Gomez and Alfredo Gopa. Boxing is arguably one of the most demanding, intense sports there is. In this episode, we will take a look at the often overlooked beauty of boxing: its power to catalyze self-realization and its ability to strengthen communities. The experts on this episode are two longtime, local Bay Area boxing coaches, Alfredo Gopa & Dalia ‘La Pantera’ Gomez, who dedicate much of their time to the youth of Oakland. As Dalia mentioned, a boxer's first line of defense is to know thyself and to be aware of surroundings.

Important note - At times --0:19, 2:29, 3:42-- "Gomez" was stated in error; the last name is "Gopa", Alfredo Gopa.

Thank you so much for listening! Important resources are listed below -

Dalia can be found:

@ DaliaLaPantera on instagram

Vertical Skillz Outreach is a non-profit program designed to empower inner-city youth through outreach opportunities -www.VerticalSkillz.org/ and on instagram @ VerticalSkillz

Vertical Skillz Outreach donation links:

Venmo: verticalskillz

Zelle: [email protected]

Or send check to:

490 Lake Park Ave #10842

Oakland, Ca 94610

Alfredo can be found:

On instagram @ jag_gopa and @ gopaboxingclub

Gopa Boxing Club - https://gopaboxingclub.com/

An article about Gopa Boxing Club: https://oaklandvoices.us/2022/08/26/from-blight-to-fight-gopa-boxing-club-hopes-to-train-next-generation-of-oakland-boxers/

Mentioned people and resources -

You can learn more about Cesar Chavez's career: https://www.espn.com/sports/boxing/topics/_/page/julio-cesar-chavez is this a good source?

Lucha Libre and luchadores resource: https://www.lonelyplanet.com/articles/lucha-libre-an-introduction-to-mexican-wrestling

Check out Kings Gym in Oakland: https://www.kingsboxingym.com/

EOBA: East Oakland Boxing Association is an organization looking out for Oakland's underserved youth. It is currently just an afterschool program, though there is still a boxing ring: https://www.eoba.org/

Learn about the boxing scene in Oxnard, aka the mecca of boxing: https://visitoxnard.com/blog/boxnard-experience-oxnards-boxing-scene/

Check out the boxing career of Salvador Sanches: https://boxrec.com/wiki/index.php/Salvador_Sanchez

Check out the boxing career of Muhammad Ali: https://boxrec.com/en/proboxer/180

Check out the boxing career of Roy Jones Jr: https://boxrec.com/en/box-pro/774820

Washington state first coach - Lydell Spry

Check out the boxing career of Queen Underwood - 1 of 3 females chosen to fight in Olympics: https://www.teamusa.org/usa-boxing/athletes/Queen-Underwood

Bruce Lee

Neuro - Linguistic Programming is mentioned - https://www.primescholars.com/articles/using-nlp-in-sport-psychology-neurolinguistic-programming-affects-on-boxer-statesport-confidence-by-using-metamodels-method.pdf

Baz in San Mateo - cut man

Check out the boxing career of Gennady Golovkin aka Triple G - https://boxrec.com/wiki/index.php/Gennady_Golovkin

Martha Salazar - & Blanca Gutierez started Beautiful Brawlers in Pacifica, CA: https://www.facebook.com/BeautifulBrawlersBoxing/

Check out the boxing career of the Serrano Sisters - Amanda Serrano https://boxrec.com/wiki/index.php/Amanda_Serrano and Cindy Serrano https://boxrec.com/wiki/index.php/Cindy_Serrano

Katie Taylor making noise in the sport

Dalia has trained Oakland School District, community leaders of Anti Terra Police Project, the mayor in Oakland

Wellington Jackson and Chief Gascié’s Bay Area Youth EMT program may be found at: http://www.bayemt.org/ and there is a documentary https://www.intheredfilm.org/ + article on this program, which Dalia is apart of: https://imprintnews.org/featured/in-the-red-film-captures-the-power-of-second-chances/15279

Boxing After Dark - Poor Man's Sport documentary - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JmmFCByVa3o